Get Sexy Abs

InStyle.com

Sep 28, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

If You Hate Doing Crunches

"Working your abs isometrically (a type of strength training that includes static exercises like the plank or the wall sit) and following a strict eating plan will help you shed the fat that hides your abdominal muscles," says celebrity trainer Mike Alexander, who has worked with stars like Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson and Kristin Cavallari. Alexander recommends avoiding fried foods, sugary beverages, starches and carbs while adding lean proteins like fish, chicken, and veggies (the greener the better) into your diet.

Michael Williams/Startraks; iStockPhoto

If You've Hit a Plateau

Get some sleep! "Skipping two hours of sleep is like "adding" calories or "subtracting" cardio time from all of your hard work," says Gunnar Peterson, who helped Jennifer Lopez prepare for her first triathlon in 2008. "Adding in an extra hour or two of sleep for 10 days will help you break through your plateau and start seeing results again."
Bonus tip: If you still aren't seeing results, switch up your routine with Peterson's core secrets book The Workout.

SplashNewsOnline.com; Courtesy of Harpercollins

If You're a New Mom

Trainer Ramona Braganza designed the 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone program that has helped Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, and Halle Berry get back into red-carpet shape. "You repeat a 10-minute cardio segment and a 10-minute strength segment 3 times, which adds up to an hour-long workout," says Braganza of the system. "In addition to traditional sit-ups and crunches, try moves like planking, squat thrusts and oblique exercises on a ball to strengthen transverse muscles."Bonus tip: If you're breast feeding, rehydrate with water that contains electrolytes. "I recommend Vitamin Water 10. It's only 10 calories, so it won't sabotage your healthy meal plans and workouts," says Braganza.

For a great workout at home, try out complex body-weight exercises. "Do a workout that involves every major body part, such as a combination of push-ups, pull-ups, single-leg squats, planks and side bridges," says trainer Ashley Borden, who has worked with stars like Tori Spelling, Christina Aguilera, and Mandy Moore. "Working bigger body parts will work the smaller muscle groups while keeping your heart rate up."
Bonus tip: Get moving! Borden says the key to seeing toned abs is getting rid of the layer of body fat over your abdominal muscles. "If you don't include any type of cardio in your workout-you'll never see your abs!"

Steve Granitz/WireImage; Courtesy of Nike

If You're Always on The Go

Kate Hudson's longtime trainer Nicole Stuart says a Triad ball is the perfect tool for people who need to take their workout with them when they travel. "When deflated, they don't take up too much room in your suitcase and they're easy to blow up," says Stuart. "Use them to do modified crunches and oblique exercises wherever you are."
Bonus Tip: For best results, add a 10-minute Triad ball workout to your regular cardio routine 3-5 times a week. (Even when you're at home!)

Gary Gershoff/Getty; Courtesy of Amazon.com

If You Don't Have a Lot of Time

"I tell my clients to focus on quality instead of quantity," says Piloxing creator Viveca Jensen. "Hilary Duff and Alexis Bledel have seen results by doing more focused abs work. Sometimes less is more."
Bonus Tip:Try Jensen's favorite abdominal-focused moves:
 Side Teaser: Lay on your right side and lean on right elbow. Lift both legs straight up together, keeping knees straight. Reach up with left arm, touch toes and return slowly to the start position. Do 10 reps on each side.
 Core twist: Sit on floor with bent knees and curve your back at a 45 degree angle. Position bent arms in front of body and punch out to each side while holding core tight and twisting slightly for two sets of 20 reps.
 Need an extra challenge? Slip on a pair of weighted Piloxing gloves.

Jason Kempin/Getty; Courtesy of VPilates

If You Get Bored

While Gunnar Peterson believes that workout staples like weights, medicine balls, and crunches work wonders for the abs, he spices things up with new equipment like the SpeedFit SpeedBoard. "You can fly on this thing without the grinding sensation you sometimes feel on a regular treadmill," says Peterson, who has introduced clients like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez to the modern marvel. "You're get the return because it torches body fat."Bonus tip: Peterson also recommends trying out the Ab Coaster or the Ab Solo.

WENN; Courtesy of Speedfit

1 of
8

Advertisement

1 of 7Michael Williams/Startraks; iStockPhoto

If You Hate Doing Crunches

"Working your abs isometrically (a type of strength training that includes static exercises like the plank or the wall sit) and following a strict eating plan will help you shed the fat that hides your abdominal muscles," says celebrity trainer Mike Alexander, who has worked with stars like Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson and Kristin Cavallari. Alexander recommends avoiding fried foods, sugary beverages, starches and carbs while adding lean proteins like fish, chicken, and veggies (the greener the better) into your diet.

Advertisement

2 of 7SplashNewsOnline.com; Courtesy of Harpercollins

If You've Hit a Plateau

Get some sleep! "Skipping two hours of sleep is like "adding" calories or "subtracting" cardio time from all of your hard work," says Gunnar Peterson, who helped Jennifer Lopez prepare for her first triathlon in 2008. "Adding in an extra hour or two of sleep for 10 days will help you break through your plateau and start seeing results again."
Bonus tip: If you still aren't seeing results, switch up your routine with Peterson's core secrets book The Workout.

3 of 7Marcos Vasquez/FilmMagic; Courtesy of Amazon.com

If You're a New Mom

Trainer Ramona Braganza designed the 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone program that has helped Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, and Halle Berry get back into red-carpet shape. "You repeat a 10-minute cardio segment and a 10-minute strength segment 3 times, which adds up to an hour-long workout," says Braganza of the system. "In addition to traditional sit-ups and crunches, try moves like planking, squat thrusts and oblique exercises on a ball to strengthen transverse muscles."Bonus tip: If you're breast feeding, rehydrate with water that contains electrolytes. "I recommend Vitamin Water 10. It's only 10 calories, so it won't sabotage your healthy meal plans and workouts," says Braganza.

If You Don't Belong to a Gym

For a great workout at home, try out complex body-weight exercises. "Do a workout that involves every major body part, such as a combination of push-ups, pull-ups, single-leg squats, planks and side bridges," says trainer Ashley Borden, who has worked with stars like Tori Spelling, Christina Aguilera, and Mandy Moore. "Working bigger body parts will work the smaller muscle groups while keeping your heart rate up."
Bonus tip: Get moving! Borden says the key to seeing toned abs is getting rid of the layer of body fat over your abdominal muscles. "If you don't include any type of cardio in your workout-you'll never see your abs!"

Advertisement

5 of 7Gary Gershoff/Getty; Courtesy of Amazon.com

If You're Always on The Go

Kate Hudson's longtime trainer Nicole Stuart says a Triad ball is the perfect tool for people who need to take their workout with them when they travel. "When deflated, they don't take up too much room in your suitcase and they're easy to blow up," says Stuart. "Use them to do modified crunches and oblique exercises wherever you are."
Bonus Tip: For best results, add a 10-minute Triad ball workout to your regular cardio routine 3-5 times a week. (Even when you're at home!)

Advertisement

6 of 7Jason Kempin/Getty; Courtesy of VPilates

If You Don't Have a Lot of Time

"I tell my clients to focus on quality instead of quantity," says Piloxing creator Viveca Jensen. "Hilary Duff and Alexis Bledel have seen results by doing more focused abs work. Sometimes less is more."
Bonus Tip:Try Jensen's favorite abdominal-focused moves:
 Side Teaser: Lay on your right side and lean on right elbow. Lift both legs straight up together, keeping knees straight. Reach up with left arm, touch toes and return slowly to the start position. Do 10 reps on each side.
 Core twist: Sit on floor with bent knees and curve your back at a 45 degree angle. Position bent arms in front of body and punch out to each side while holding core tight and twisting slightly for two sets of 20 reps.
 Need an extra challenge? Slip on a pair of weighted Piloxing gloves.

Advertisement

7 of 7WENN; Courtesy of Speedfit

If You Get Bored

While Gunnar Peterson believes that workout staples like weights, medicine balls, and crunches work wonders for the abs, he spices things up with new equipment like the SpeedFit SpeedBoard. "You can fly on this thing without the grinding sensation you sometimes feel on a regular treadmill," says Peterson, who has introduced clients like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez to the modern marvel. "You're get the return because it torches body fat."Bonus tip: Peterson also recommends trying out the Ab Coaster or the Ab Solo.

You May Like

Read More

Let's Make It Newsletter-Official

Never have InStyle FOMO again! Get the best fashion, beauty, celebrity exclusives and shopping advice straight to your inbox.